Samuel Rahamin Topaz, 24, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, was sentenced today to eight years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
According to documents filed in this and related cases, and statements made in court:
Topaz admitted that prior to his arrest by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force on June 17, 2015, he planned to travel overseas to join ISIS and saved money for that purpose. Topaz discussed plans to join ISIS with Nader Saadeh, Alaa Saadeh and Munther Omar Saleh, and he admitted that at various times each of them indicated they wanted to join ISIS. Topaz also admitted that he and the other defendants watched ISIS-related videos, some of which depicted the execution of non-Muslims and individuals regarded as apostates from Islam.
On May 5, 2015, Nader Saadeh departed the United States with plans to travel overseas for the purpose of joining ISIS as part of the conspiracy. Topaz admitted that he and others planned to travel overseas separately, meet up with Nader Saadeh, and then travel together to join ISIS. After Nader Saadeh left the United States, Topaz met with Munther Omar Saleh and contacted Alaa Saadeh to discuss those plans.
Topaz admitted knowing that ISIS was a designated foreign terrorist organization, which he knew to be taking over territory overseas, expelling non-Muslims from their homes, and executing individuals who did not obey ISIS’ commands.
Nader and Alaa Saadeh both pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS. Alaa Saadeh was sentenced to 15 years in prison on May 10, 2016. Nader Saadeh was sentenced to 10 years in prison on April 30. Saleh and Mumuni both pleaded guilty to related charges brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Saleh was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Feb. 6. Mumuni was sentenced to 17 years in prison on April 26.
